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Here is some information from the university&#39;s Cook Counseling Center and the university Employee Relations Office.

Source: National Mental Health Information Center of the U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services

Anniversary Reactions to a Traumatic Event:

The Recovery Process Continues

As the anniversary of a disaster or traumatic event approaches, many survivors report a return of restlessness and fear. Psychological literature calls it the anniversary reaction and defines it as an individual&#39;s response to unresolved grief resulting from significant losses. The anniversary reaction can involve several days or even weeks of anxiety, anger, nightmares, flashbacks, depression, or fear. On a more positive note, the anniversary of a disaster or traumatic event also can provide an opportunity for emotional healing. Individuals can make significant progress in working through the natural grieving process by recognizing, acknowledging, and paying attention to the feelings and issues that surface during their anniversary reaction. These feelings and issues can help individuals develop perspective on the event and figure out where it fits in their hearts, minds, and lives.

It is important to note that not all survivors of a disaster or traumatic event experience an anniversary reaction. Those who do, however, may be troubled because they did not expect and do not understand their reaction. For these individuals, knowing what to expect in advance may be helpful.

Common anniversary reactions among survivors of a disaster or traumatic event include:

Memories, Dreams, Thoughts, and Feelings: Individuals may replay memories, thoughts, and feelings about the event, which they can&#39;t turn off. They may see repeated images and scenes associated with the trauma or relive the event over and over. They may have recurring dreams or nightmares. These reactions may be as vivid on the anniversary as they were at the actual time of the disaster or traumatic event.

Grief and Sadness: Individuals may experience grief and sadness related to the loss of income, employment, a home, or a loved one. Even people who have moved to new homes often feel a sense of loss on the anniversary. Those who were forced to relocate to another community may experience intense homesickness for their old neighborhoods.

Fear and Anxiety: Fear and anxiety may resurface around the time of the
anniversary, leading to jumpiness, startled responses, and vigilance about safety. These feelings may be particularly strong for individuals who are still working through the grieving process.

Frustration, Anger, and Guilt: The anniversary may reawaken frustration and anger about the disaster or traumatic event. Survivors may be reminded of the possessions, homes, or loved ones they lost; the time taken away from their lives; the frustrations with bureaucratic aspects of the recovery process; and the slow process of rebuilding and healing. Individuals may also experience guilt about survival. These feelings may be particularly strong for individuals who are not fully recovered financially and emotionally. Avoidance: Some survivors try to protect themselves from experiencing an anniversary reaction by avoiding reminders of the event and attempting to treat the anniversary as just an ordinary day. Even for these people, it can be helpful to learn about common reactions that they or their loved ones may encounter, so they are not surprised if reactions occur.

Remembrance: Many survivors welcome the cleansing tears, commemoration, and fellowship that the anniversary of the event offers. They see it as a time to honor the memory of what they have lost. They might light a candle, share favorite memories and stories, or attend a worship service.

Reflection: The reflection brought about by the anniversary of a disaster or traumatic event is often a turning point in the recovery process. It is an opportunity for people to look back over the past year, recognize how far they have come, and give themselves credit for the challenges they surmounted. It is a time for survivors to look inward and to recognize and appreciate the courage, stamina, endurance, and resourcefulness that they and their loved ones showed during the recovery process. It is a time for people to look around and pause to appreciate the family members, friends, and others who supported them through the healing process. It is also a time when most people can look forward with a renewed sense of hope and purpose. Although these thoughts, feelings, and reactions can be very upsetting, it helps to understand that it is normal to have strong reactions to a disaster or
traumatic event and its devastation many months later. Recovery from a disaster or traumatic event takes time, and it requires rebuilding on many levels - physically, emotionally, and spiritually. However, with patience, understanding, and support from family members and friends, you can emerge from a disaster or traumatic event stronger than before.

If you are still having trouble coping, ask for help. Consult a counselor or mental health professional.

At Virginia Tech, students should contact the Cook Counseling Center at 231-6557. Faculty and staff can contact the Employee Assistance Center at 866-725-0602 or Employee Relations at 231-9331.

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Business as usual at high school after Virginia Tech shootings

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By Ryan Bray
GateHouse Media
Thu May 03, 2007, 02:22 PM EDT

Scituate - In the two weeks since the Virginia Tech shootings swept through the college town of Blacksburg, Va., people nationwide are still struggling to grasp and adjust to the tragic events that left 33 students and faculty members at the school dead.

But miles an miles away from all the mourning and controversy, it&#39;s business as usual at Scituate High School, as students and faculty members go about their daily routines. Students rush about the halls while seniors, many of whom are in the process of hearing back from colleges and making their plans for the fall, count down the remaining days of their high school careers.

"It hasn&#39;t impacted them at all," said Sherri Lewis, director of guidance at the high school, regarding the impact of the shooting on outgoing students. "They all seem very excited."

But while students have carried on with things as they otherwise would, that&#39;s not to say that the Virginia Tech shootings haven&#39;t had some effect on the school, however slight. Principal Donna Nuzzo-Mueller said the shootings are of greater concern to teachers than to students, whom have come to learn of the tragedies from a distance through television and the news.

"I think our educators dwell on this more than the young people do," Nuzzo-Mueller said. "Developmentally at their age, I think it&#39;s difficult to grasp the severity of it all at that stage of their lives."

However, students are reacting in their own ways. Nuzzo-Mueller said several school groups and clubs have rallied to raise money for a fund established for the families of the shooting victims. Others, she said, have likely dealt with the tragedy outside the school with friends and family.

"We certainly have kids who want to reach out and help, and that&#39;s natural," she said.

The shootings almost immediately brought attention to the issue of how to better prepare and respond in the event of a similar emergency in the future. Administrators and campus police officials came under fire from parents and the media in the days following the event for what some saw as an inadequate response to the shootings, while locally, Gov. Deval Patrick met with administrators from public colleges and universities across the state to discuss how to best safeguard students in the event of another shooting.

But Nuzzo-Mueller said at the high school, there isn&#39;t much the school can likely do to prepare for a similar attack beyond the school&#39;s current emergency evacuation plan. She said incidents of the scale and magnitude of Virginia Tech or Columbine High School in Littleton, Colo., could never be fully prepared for in spite of the best efforts from faculty and administrators.

"It all just shows that it could happen to anybody," Nuzzo-Mueller said. "It&#39;s a problem that just exists. There&#39;s always a slice of humanity that struggles with this issue. No matter what plan are put in place, you&#39;d likely have to adapt to the situation should one arise."

Superintendent of Schools Mark Mason said he would meet with security advisers next week to discuss the potential for increased security within the district&#39;s six schools. But while student safety is always top priority, Mason said a balance must be struck between what&#39;s too much and not enough.

"It&#39;s a philosophical question," he said. "We want to keep our schools safe, but do we want to keep the kids in lockdown mode throughout the year?"

Nuzzo-Mueller said she is uncertain if any outgoing seniors will be attending Virginia Tech in the fall. She said that while graduates have gone on to attend the school in the past, it is not common from year to year.

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Students at the University of Arkansas Community College at Hope, as well as universities across Arkansas, are feeling the pain of the Virginia Tech student body.

The tragic deaths at Virginia Tech have them feeling anxious about a place where they have always felt safe. But, UACCH students did not mind sharing their feelings and reactions about the shootings on Monday which left 33 people dead.

"It makes you take a second thought about coming to school every day," Lacey Brent, a nursing student said.

One student showed an expression of disbelief and sorrow when asked what was his reaction to the tragedy at Virginia Tech.

"I don&#39;t really know what to say about it," student Jason Lamb said after a long silent pause. "It is taking its toll on everyone, especially everyone going to a university.

"It also has parents worried about their sons or daughters being at a university," he said.

"It was a horrible thing that happened...a tragedy. It is kind of scary too," LPN student Quana Ellis said. "It is really an eye-opener."

"It makes you think," Chelsea Johnson, also a nursing student said.

"Anything can happen at any given time," Lamb said.

Another nursing major again reacted with fear.

"Red flags were raised. They had warnings and they did not take heed. It is scary," Chelsea Johnson said.

"I hope it does not happen here," Rebecca Allen said.

Some students simply did not understand.

"When they found two people shot they should have closed the school," said Ashley Linzy.

Reacting to the accusations he had heard about the shootings, another student, James Stuart, said, "There&#39;s a lot of second guessing going on right now."

Stuart said he did not really see that tightening of security would make a big difference in such a situation.

"You would have to have guard shacks at every entrance and door," he said. "I think if someone wanted to do something like that they would some way, somehow to take out there frustrations."